Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

17 Considering Horses

“Horses,” Noah blurted out of the blue when he closed the television, the screen turning black as he laid down on his sofa and closed his eyes.

He was awoken by the sun’s heat the next day. He didn’t notice that he had already fallen asleep in the living room. The house was too comfortable, given the fact that he was a natural potato couch ever since.

After wiping his forehead with his sleeve, Noah raised his arms in the air and stretched as far as he can. When he heard a good crack from his spine, he let out a refreshing moan. His hand went to the nape of his neck as he yawned some more, his bed hair sticking out weirdly.  

Today, he prearranged on going around town to inquire about horses. He had been in debate with his colleagues ever since he mentioned that he would like to buy his own horse.

“What are you going to do about it?” Brice asked as he stirred his pure black coffee.

As of the moment, they have brunch downtown. Michael called and asked them if they wanted to go and check the famous Michelin Star restaurant his co-workers had been talking about. Nick was the first person to agree, while Brice grumbled about software programs he needed to polish, but still went with them. Noah wouldn’t waste an opportunity for Michael’s treats as he let everyone know that he was paying for this morning’s meal.

“Oh!” Nick exclaimed while he stuffed his mouth with eggs and bacon. “You never mentioned liking horses.”

“We invited you before,” Michael started, “that one time we went to a horse ranch.”

Noah nodded. “Yeah. You told us you were busy with an upcoming hearing.”

“Crap! So that’s what it was about. I think I got it all wrong.” Nick answered.

Brice made a disbelieving face, “What were you thinking? We specifically told you Noah’s going to take us to a horse ranch!”

Nick glared at him through the glass of his water. When he was done drinking, he looked back at Brice, “I was busy, alright?”

“We all are,” Brice argued.

“So, horses,” Michael turned the conversation back to where it’s supposed to head, “where do you plan on getting one?”

Noah palmed his chin, “Well, I’d look at local farms nearby. It’s easier to talk to the locals.”

“But you know, you still need to take into consideration a lot of things. Horses aren’t your normal pets,” Michael stated, his eyes drifting towards the garlic bread that Nick is handing him.

“There’s the money you’d have to spend for maintenance,” Brice counted with his fingers, “and then there’s food.”

“How many do you plan on buying?” Nick asked.

“A pair. One stallion and mare. It’s always safe to buy a pair first,” Noah answered while taking a bite from his omelet.

The rest went by with the four of them talking about whether they should accompany Noah in his quest to discover the best ranch that sells horses in town.

Brice kept whining about the software he had a deadline on. Michael told him to take a break once in a while. Nick, on the other hand, was so into accompanying Noah since he had just finished his briefing with his new clients. Michael told Noah that all of them are free for the entire afternoon, even if Brice was so contrary to them deciding everything without considering his opinion.

“It’s always like this!” he yelled at the back of the car, while Michael read silently on his tablet beside him, “You would always drag me out of nowhere.”

Noah looked at the rear mirror, “What are you complaining about? It’s not like we forced you to come.”

“You basically pulled me inside your car! How am I supposed to say no to that?”

Nick snickered on the passenger seat, “You could roll down the window, Bri. Escape through that tiny space.”

“Are you all out of your mind? Bullying me doesn’t gain you anything!”

“It does,” Michael insisted, “it brings us pure bliss.”

Brice grimaced, his face twisting into disgust, “Please take that back. It’s scary.”

Noah turned straight toward the highway as they made their way to the Stream Ranch.

Thirty-minutes of bickering whether they should let Brice feed the sheep went by in the blink of an eye. When Noah found a fitting parking space between his newly arrived trucks, Brice was the first one to get out of the car.

He stretched his hands in the air and groaned as he felt a snap on his stiff back. He pushed his glasses above his head and rubbed his eyes from the dust that flew in his tear ducts.

The Stream Ranch was almost done. The construction of the ranch house was nearly done—all they needed to do was paint the walls and add some furniture inside. Noah had two of his barns cleaned thoroughly every week. He firmly believes that a balanced diet and hygiene are everything when it comes to producing high-quality poultry and livestock. He even had the tools stacked in a separate warehouse beside the barns.

Animals were separated by fields that they reside in. One side of the areas had sheep on it, while the furthest that’s almost near to the forest had cattle. Chickens were kept at some barns, the other ones on a mini-chicken house he specifically asked to be built. Stacks of hay are neatly segregated, while the stables are being finalized for the horses he’s about to procure. The field had the Magic Ball’s grass that he had Nancy plant a few weeks ago. The girl definitely has a green hand.  

Whistling three times, distant barking echoed a few feet away. They walked a bit more, leaving Michael and Nick looking curiously at the newly built ranch house Noah had explicitly designed for them.

“Mr. Martin!” Wynn greeted. “Visiting with your friends?”

Noah nodded his half-smile hanging on his lips. “This is Brice,” he gestured to a Brice that was busy patting Mik’s head. Noah hadn’t noticed that the three of them had already arrived.

Ginger wrapped her body on Noah’s legs, while Cole barked three times, his eyes sparkling. Noah smiled at him.

“How are they?” he asked Wynn without lifting his stare away from a smiling Mik.

“They’re incredible!” Wynn exclaimed. “Pops likes them. He wouldn’t admit it when Nancy teases him, but we know.”

Noah chuckled low. It was so like Thomas. Noah knew he’s too stubborn to admit that he’s a dog person. “Good to hear.”

After brief introductions to Nancy and Thomas, the four of them headed down and were lucky enough to discover a nearby farm.

Brice had been their map for the past hours. The farm he found isn’t doing well in terms of its structure and animals for recent years. The owner had a horse that he cherished, but due to financial problems, he was forced by his wife to sell the horse to sustain their basic needs.

Noah saw the horse as the farmer pulled on its reigns. It was the skinniest stallion he had ever seen. The horse’s round eyes looked hollow, and his body had his ribs sticking-out if not for the skin that covered it. The horse was lean, but way too malnourish-looking.

“Noah, that stallion looks like it could die anytime,” Nick whispered, a worried expression plastered on his face.

Noah agrees with what he had just said. Indeed, the horse looked as if it’ll die any moment, and it wouldn’t be anyone’s losses but that of himself.

The farmer tried selling it way lower than the average price for an adult stallion. When he reached the reigns to Noah, the horse had an awful look on his face—like he too was feeling the amount of sadness an average person would. With a sigh, Noah tried buying the horse for a far lower price than the farmer had told them. Without a word, the farmer agreed, and the horse was promised to be delivered the next day.

Noah immediately called Thomas and told him about the first horse he’d ever bought. “Get me a veterinarian and have that horse checked.” He knows Thomas would be the only person to understand the reason as to why he had to buy the poor fellow.

Noah patted the stallion’s golden mane gently, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. Noah took a sharp inhale as the horse’s eye shed one tear.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, “we’ll save you in no time.”

After paying half the amount of what the farmer is asking, Noah promised to give the remaining balance when the horse arrived safely at his ranch.

When the four of them slid back inside his car, Noah knew the noise Brice made when he couldn’t believe what Noah had done.

“Don’t ask me—” he began, but Brice held up his hand.

“I’m not,” he breathed as he adjusted his seat belt. “The horse cried, and I almost did, too.”

“That’s something to note of,” Nick commented. “I’ve seen a lot of animals show the same emotions as humans do, and that horse maybe one of those rare types that relate to their owners.”

“God, I felt like I would breakdown earlier!” When Noah tilted his face to have a look at Brice, he laughed a little as he saw actual stains on his cheeks.

“Stop crying, buddy. We’ll save that horse.” Noah assured him. “I already had Thomas find me a personal veterinarian for my animals. In the meantime, I’d have Thomas and Wynn tend for his malnourishment.”

Driving a little further away from the ranch, Brice had pointed them to a more luxurious farm that’s widely known for breeding the best horses in town.

When they entered the farm, Noah couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It’s like he was in a horse haven. Various sizes, colors, and types of horses ran actively ran around the fields. Some even poked their heads exterior the fence to nuzzle Noah’s hands. Little foals ran around beside their mares, while stallions were running around energetically on one side of the wooden fence.

A tall man with a beard greeted them with a smile.

Noah took his hand and shook it firmly. “Noah Martin,” he said as his eyes fleeted to the women standing shyly behind him.

“Welcome!” the man bellowed, “Come on in,” he gestured them to walk near the stables.

“My name’s Jason, and I’ve been running this farm for ten years.”

Noah glanced at his shoulder and spotted Brice grinning at him. He smirked and mouthed, thanks.

“I’m glad you called so that I can accommodate you personally. I usually leave my caretaker to manage things around here,” Jason explained while the women beside him kept quiet.

They stopped in front of the stables. Jason stepped out of the way as he urged the two women to take a step forward to where Noah and his friends are waiting.

Jason smiled, “Before I forget, these are my girls,” he pointed to the taller one who had her hair up in a ponytail, “this is Lilian.”

Lillian smiled briefly. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Martin.” She gave Noah a tight smile while he shook her hands.

Noah moved his eyes to the woman beside Lilian. He assumed it’s the younger one among them.

Her hair fell in loose curls at her waist. She was petite, and her eyes were the same color as sunlight. Freckles dominated her nose while her sister Lilian had the creamiest skin he’d seen.

“I’m Reese,” the girl beside Lilian announced. “It’s good to meet clients with the same passion once in a while.” She said with a cheeky smile. Noah couldn’t ignore the way Nick wagged his eyebrows at her. Reese returned it with a grin, and Noah instantly knew where these two would lead at.